The Holy Council of the Russian Orthodox Church of 1917-18 recognized as being legitimate the following reasons for dissolution of a marriage sanctified by the Church:

- apostasy from Orthodoxy- adultery and unnatural vices- incapacity for marital cohabitation- affliction by leprosy or syphilis- unknown absence- jail sentence with deprivation of rights- infringement upon the life and health of spouse and children- incest or prostitution of spouse- entering into a new marriage- serious, incurable mental illness- intentional desertion

Guidelines for Church Divorce Petitioners

The Diocesan Court of the Diocese of Eastern America & New York hears petitions for a Church–sanctioned divorce based upon the authority of the Holy Council of the Russian Orthodox Church of 1917-18. Any petition must include the following documents:

1) Certificate of Church Marriage;2) Civil divorce papers;3) Current address of both concerned parties;4) Statement of reasons for dissolution of civil marriage;5) Confirmation of statement by an Orthodox priest;6) Payment by check in the amount of $500 made payable to: "Eastern American Diocese."

Petitions must be sent to: Eastern American Diocese 210 Alexander AvenueHowell, NJ 07731